“Well, I did try to sift the thing. Mr. Eager would never come to the point. He prefers it vague — said the old man had 'practically' murdered his wife — had murdered her in the sight of God.”

“Hush, dear!” said Mrs. Honeychurch absently. “But isn't it intolerable that a person whom we're told to imitate should go round spreading slander? It was, I believe, chiefly owing to him that the old man was dropped. People pretended he was vulgar, but he certainly wasn't that.”

“Poor old man! What was his name?”

“Harris,” said Lucy glibly.

“Let's hope that Mrs. Harris there warn't no sich person,” said her mother.